University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students have formed the first university student chapter of We Are Many - United Against Hate.
The student organization's goal is to fight racism, hate and bigotry and promote diversity, inclusivity and tolerance. It plans to do this initially by engaging students and community members in educational events and reading/discussion groups focused on social injustice topics.
UW-Stevens Point is a good location for the first chapter, said Yazeed Allan, a senior majoring in biochemistry who is the chapter president. "As a rural area that is less diverse, we have an opportunity to outreach and educate people about unity in diversity. The best way to ensure everyone is safe and respected is through understanding."
Allan, an international student originally from Palestine, has lived in Stevens Point for more than three years and said the community has been welcoming. He is the social justice coordinator at UW-Stevens Point's Diversity and College Access office and inclusivity director for the Student Government Association.
The student chapter embraces the values of the statewide We Are Many - United Against Hate, which include believing:
- Diversity creates unity, not division
- Every individual has the right to self-expression, and the right to live equally
- Upholding the values of the university community include promoting tolerance and acceptance in the community.
We Are Many - United Against Hate is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization of people -- urban and rural, spiritual and secular -- seeking equal treatment for all, united against hate, bigotry and racism. The group advocates for respect of every individual, regardless of sex, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, color or ancestry.
"We plan to continue our work toward social justice, creating a society where the rights of marginalized and minority communities are protected, by educating our community and campaigning for love and respect for one another," said Masood Akhtar, Madison, founder of We are Many - United Against Hate.
Akhtar will provide more information about the organization Thursday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. as part of the Diversity and College Access series "Speak, Amplify and Stand." For access to the virtual program visit www.uwsp.edu/dca/Pages/default.aspx.
To learn more about the organization, visit www.united-against-hate.org. To learn more about social justice work at UW-Stevens Point, contact Sam Dinga, Diversity and College Access director, at sdinga@uwsp.edu or Allan at yalla713@uwsp.edu.
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